Lawyer says Alberta premier exploiting loophole with referendum site, wants ad ban

An Edmonton lawyer is calling on Elections Alberta to close a loophole allowing Premier Danielle Smith’s government to advertise in favour of her fall referendum on sweeping immigration reform.

Provincial law prohibits the government from advertising or publishing certain information related to a referendum if the vote is taking place alongside a general or municipal election.

Legislation passed last year saw the same rules be removed for stand-alone referendums similar to what Smith’s government has called for October.

Lawyer Avnish Nanda says it’s an unfair loophole that’s letting the government publish one-sided information in order to a secure a mandate for proposals he’s worried will demonize immigrants.